A. Sidney Lovett papers

Correspondence, sermons, writings, photographs, printed material and miscellanea detailing the professional career and personal life of Sidney Lovett, a clergyman and chaplain at Yale University. Lovett's activities as a minister in Boston (1919-1932), chaplain at Yale (1932-1958), member of many university organizations and committees, including the Yale Faculty Committee for Receiving Oxford and Cambridge Children and Yale-in-China, pastor of the Church of Christ in Yale, master of Pierson college, community worker in New Haven, Connecticut, and professor of biblical literature, are documented in the papers. General correspondence files contain letters to and from Lovett, and include exchanges with numerous religious figures in academic positions, Yale University officials and employees, and Yale students and alumni. Correspondence and other materials relating to the Yale Faculty Committee for Receiving Oxford and Cambridge Children detail the efforts of that body to transport British children to the United States during World War II. Yale-in-China files detail Lovett's role as executive vice-president of that body. Sermons include printed and manuscript versions of many of Lovett's religious addresses, from 1914-1977, and writings include various other addresses, essays, funeral services and speeches.

The Lovett Papers are arranged in 79 boxes, totalling 29.25 linear feet, The papers are organized in five series: I. CORRESPONDENCE, 1889-1979; II. YALE FACULTY COMMITTEE FOR RECEIVING OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE CHILDREN, 1940-1948; III. YALE-IN-CHINA, 1933-1979; IV. SERMONS, 1914-1937; V. WRITINGS AND MISCELLANEA, 1900-1979. The Lovett Papers were donated by Richard and Sidney Lovett, and Eugenia West Lovett, from 1981-1983.

SERIES I, CORRESPONDENCE, 1889-1979, contains Lovett's personal and professional correspondence. His extensive role in the religious and academic operations of Yale University is documented through letters to and from James Rowland Angell, Henry Sloane Coffin, Alfred Whitney Griswold, Carl Albert Lohman, Elmore McNeil McKee, Charles Seymour, Norman Sydney Buck, Irving S. Fisher, Chauncey W. Goodrich, Wilmarth Sheldon Lewis, Addison Grant Noble, Richard Carter Nyman, and many others. Many letters with Yale University students and alumni, frequently addressed to "Uncle Sid," are also arranged in this series. Correspondence relating to such university organizations and topics as the Battell Chapel Memorial Fund, Berkeley Association, Church of Christ in Yale University, Dwight Hall, Pierson College, the academic courses "Religion 21" and "Religion 22," the religious affiliations of students, university preaching schedules, the Yale Alumni Fund, and the Yale University Christian Mission are organized in this series.

Sidney Lovett's activities outside the Yale University community include membership and participation in several New Haven area organizations as well as many influential national organizations. Correspondence detailing his contributions to the Abbott Academy (Andover, Mass.), Austin Riggs Foundation, Family Service of New Haven, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, George Junior Republic Association, Hopkins Grammar School, Interfaith Education Council, the New Haven Commission on Equal Opportunities, the Ulysses S. Grant Foundation, and the World Student Service Fund, is organized in this series. Correspondence with many religious figures, university and college chaplains, and family members are also arranged here.

SERIES II, YALE FACULTY COMMITTEE FOR RECEIVING OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE CHILDREN, 1940-1948, contains correspondence and other material detailing Lovett's service as chairman, of this organization. The organizational and logistical problems of transferring the young children of oxford and Cambridge University faculty members to the United States during World War II, and the participation of the Yale University community in this effort, are documented.

SERIES III, YALE-IN-CHINA, 1933-1979, contains correspondence and material relating to Lovett's service as executive vice-president of this organization, now known as Yale-China Association. Lovett's correspondence is supplemented by printed material and reports.

SERIES IV, SERMONS, 1914-1977, contains many items Lovett prepared as minister of the Mount Vernon Congregational Church (Boston, Mass.), from 1920-1932; for the Northfield League, 1924-1925; as chaplain of Yale University, 1932-1977; and for other occassions, 1914-1972. These sermons include printed and manuscript versions, and focus on a wide range of religious topics.

SERIES V, WRITINGS AND MISCELLANEA, 1900-1979, contains several types of material, including writings, photographs, printed material, memorabilia, and audio tapes and films. Lovett's writings include short addresses prepared for baccalaureate services, commencement services, and prayers. Additional writings include essays, lectures, notebooks, and speeches.